Suturing device with improved needle transferring mechanism

Abstract

A one-handed automatic suturing device with a needle-transfer of a double-ended needle includes a first and a second jaw element that are movable in relation to each other between an open position and a closed position. The first jaw element has an alternating mechanism for alternating, each time the jaw elements are moved to the closed position, between: a retaining position, wherein the alternating mechanism is configured to retain a first end of the double-ended needle with a first retention strength; and a releasing position, wherein the alternating mechanism is configured for releasing said needle. The second jaw element has a holding mechanism for retaining and releasing a second end of the double-ended needle; wherein the holding mechanism is configured to retain the second end of the double-ended needle with a second retention strength that is lower than the first retention strength.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A one-handed automatic suturing device with automatic needle-transfer of a double-ended needle, the one-handed automatic suturing device comprising:
 a first and a second jaw element that are movable in relation to each other between an open position and a closed position, wherein the first and second jaw elements are pivotable in relation to each other around a common pivot joint;   
       wherein;
 the first jaw element comprises an alternating mechanism, wherein said alternating mechanism is an active mechanism configured to, upon the jaw elements being moved to the closed position by pushing the jaw elements together, automatically alternate between: 
 
       a retaining position, wherein the alternating mechanism is configured to retain a first end of the double-ended needle with a first retention strength; and
 a releasing position, wherein the alternating mechanism is configured for releasing said needle; and 
 the second jaw element comprises a holding mechanism for retaining and releasing a second end of the double-ended needle, wherein the holding mechanism is configured to retain the second end of the double-ended needle with a second retention strength that is lower than the first retention strength; 
 wherein the holding mechanism is a passive mechanism configured to exert the second retention strength as a retention strength that is constant during an entire cycle of automatic needle-transfer of the double-ended needle; and 
 wherein the second jaw element does not comprise an active mechanism configured to automatically alternate between a retaining position and a releasing position. 
 
     
     
         2 . The one-handed automatic suturing device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a jaw opening spring arranged between the first jaw element and the second jaw element, wherein the jaw opening spring is configured to move the jaws back to the open position after a user has pushed the jaw elements together. 
     
     
         3 . The one-handed automatic suturing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the transfer of the needle back and forth between the first jaw element and the second jaw element is mechanically synchronized with the alternating mechanism. 
     
     
         4 . The one-handed automatic suturing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the one-handed automatic suturing device is configured such that the holding mechanism retains the second end of the double-ended needle when the alternating mechanism is in the releasing position and the first and the second jaw element are moved from the closed position to the open position, and the second end of the double-ended needle is released from the holding mechanism when the alternating mechanism is in the retaining position and the first and a second jaw element are moved from the closed position to the open position. 
     
     
         5 . The one-handed automatic suturing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the alternating mechanism, in the releasing position, is configured to retain the double-ended needle with a third retention strength that is lower than the second retention strength. 
     
     
         6 . The one-handed automatic suturing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first retention strength is defined as the force required for displacing the double-ended needle from the alternating mechanism in the retaining position, the third retention strength is defined as the force required for displacing the double-ended needle from the alternating mechanism in the releasing position, and the second retention strength is defined as the force required for displacing the double-ended needle from the holding mechanism. 
     
     
         7 . The one-handed automatic suturing device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first end of the double-ended needle comprises a first surface feature and the second end of the double-ended needle comprises a second surface feature; and   the alternating mechanism is configured for engaging the first surface feature, in the retaining position, for retaining the double-ended needle, and wherein the holding mechanism is configured for engaging the second surface feature, for retaining the double-ended needle.   
     
     
         8 . The one-handed automatic suturing device according to  claim 7 , wherein the alternating mechanism comprises a clamp element that is configured for engaging the first surface feature for retaining the double-ended needle, when the alternating mechanism is in the retaining position. 
     
     
         9 . The one-handed automatic suturing device according to  claim 7 , wherein the holding mechanism comprises a second complementary surface that is configured for engaging with the second surface feature of the double-ended needle. 
     
     
         10 . The one-handed automatic suturing device according to  claim 9 , wherein the holding mechanism and the second complementary surface are configured for engaging according to a snap-fit mechanism. 
     
     
         11 . The one-handed automatic suturing device according to  claim 9 , wherein the one-handed automatic suturing device is configured such that the second complementary surface releasably attaches to the second surface feature, when the jaw elements are in the closed position. 
     
     
         12 . The one-handed automatic suturing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the one-handed automatic suturing device comprises a rotatable wheel located at the pivot joint that is connected to the alternating mechanism, and configured such that, each time the first and the second jaw elements are moved in relation to each other from the open position to the closed position, the rotatable wheel rotates causing the alternating mechanism to switch between the open position and the closed position. 
     
     
         13 . The one-handed automatic suturing device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a jaw opening spring arranged between the first jaw element and the second jaw element. 
     
     
         14 . The one-handed automatic suturing device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a clamp opening control element for moving the alternating mechanism to the open position. 
     
     
         15 . The one-handed automatic suturing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the double-sided needle is automatically transferred between the first jaw element and the second jaw element upon closing and opening of the one-handed automatic suturing device. 
     
     
         16 . The one-handed automatic suturing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the one-handed automatic suturing device is disposable.